The youth group has spent two years working locally to provide creative spaces for themselves and other vulnerable people in the community. Their website reports that they are concerned by the increasing challenges they see around mental health which as they say “remain invisible to most”.

Adding: "The aim of the Golden Iris team over the next few weeks is to renovate the building. The doors open on the 18th February for a week of intensive work, skills sharing, training and volunteering to celebrate the start of a transformation that will take several months."

Anna Lodge, volunteer director at Totnes Community Development Society, said: "We are grateful to the Police and Fire brigade for all their efforts today to ensure no one was hurt. We have been working with young people and other volunteers in the community to bring the building into use as and for local people. We are deeply saddened by that all their efforts have been put in jeopardy by what looks like a fire lit deliberately. "

The fire appears to have started in a bin (Image: Mitchell Brothers)

Devon and Cornwall Police have confirmed an arson investigation is taking place and no arrests have been made at this point.